Method for Supplying Cross-Winding Devices of a Spinning-Mill Machine with Sleeves and a Spinning-Mill Machine

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for supplying cross-winding devices (4) of a spinning-mill machine (1) with sleeves (9) and a corresponding spinning-mill machine (1), whereas a multiple number of cross-winding devices (4) is arranged next to each other and on two machine sides located in the longitudinal direction of the spinning-mill machine (1). Yarn is wound on sleeves (9) at the cross-winding devices (4), whereas empty sleeves (9) are stockpiled in at least one sleeve stack (7.1 to 7.4). With a sleeve transport device (6, 6.1 bis 6.4) arranged along the cross-winding devices (4), the cross-winding devices (4) are supplied with empty sleeves (9) from the sleeve stack (7.1 to 7.4), whereas the sleeve transport device (6, 6.1 to 6.4) features a continuous entraining element, in particular a conveyor belt, which is moved along the multiple number of cross-winding devices (4). A multiple number of transport carriages (8) are provided for receiving a respective sleeve (9), whereas the transport carriages (8) are transported by means of the continuous entraining element, in order to bring the sleeves (9) to the cross-winding devices (4). Various types of sleeves (9) are stockpiled, and each cross-winding device (4) is allocated with with a predetermined type of sleeve (9). The type of sleeve (9) is detected and, together with the transport carriages (8), the sleeve (9) is supplied to the cross-winding device (4) allocated to it.

The present invention relates to a method for supplying cross-winding devices of a spinning-mill machine with sleeves, whereas a multiple number of cross-winding devices is arranged next to each other and on two machine sides located in the longitudinal direction of the spinning-mill machine, and yarn is wound on sleeves at the cross-winding devices, whereas empty sleeves are stockpiled in at least one sleeve stack, and with a sleeve transport device arranged along the cross-winding devices, with which the cross-winding devices are supplied with empty sleeves from the sleeve stack, whereas the sleeve transport device features a continuous entraining element, in particular a conveyor belt, which is moved along the multiple number of cross-winding devices and a corresponding spinning-mill machine.

Modern textile machines, such as (for example) open-end rotor spinning-mill machines or winding machines, are able to wind different yarns on bobbins at their many work stations. For the individual varying yarns, it is frequently necessary or at least helpful for the later recognition of the respective yarn if different sleeve types are provided on the textile machine. In this case, one yarn type is wound on a specific sleeve, which is marked in a particular color.

DE 43 44 058 A1 discloses a textile machine producing cross-wound bobbins, such as a winding machine or an open-end spinning-mill machine, with which a transport system internal to the machine is arranged, which essentially consists of a circulating continuous means of transport with spaced guide and entraining elements, and which is guided in a guide rail structure. Each of the guide and entraining elements features a receptacle for an empty sleeve. Cross-wound bobbin carrier elements can be fed in or out via connecting tracks in the transport system. The empty cross-wound bobbin carrier elements that have been fed are retracted by means of the guide and entraining elements arranged on the continuous means of transport in defined change positions in front of the winding stations. The geometrical allocation of the empty sleeve receptacles or the cross-wound bobbin receptacles make it possible for an automatically operating change unit to exchange a finished cross-wound bobbin for an empty sleeve. The loaded cross-wound bobbin carrier elements are then discharged from the transport system via the connecting track.

However, the disadvantage here is that sleeves from a stack internal to the machine cannot be transported over the entire length. In addition, the provision of different sleeve types is difficult, since the empty sleeve receptacles are firmly coupled together, and this can conflict with the removal of the finished cross-wound bobbins and the supply of the correct empty sleeve.

Thus, the task of the present invention is to provide a spinning-mill machine, which is able to store different sleeve types in a stack and to transport them as needed to a corresponding work station with the shortest possible transport time.

The task is achieved with a spinning-mill machine with the characteristics of the independent claim.

With the method in accordance with the invention for supplying cross-winding devices of a spinning-mill machine with sleeves, a multiple number of the cross-winding devices is arranged next to each other and on two machine sides located in the longitudinal direction of the spinning-mill machine. Yarn is wound on sleeves at the cross-winding devices, whereas empty sleeves are stockpiled in at least one sleeve stack. With a sleeve transport device arranged along the cross-winding devices, the cross-winding devices are supplied with empty sleeves from the sleeve stack, whereas the sleeve transport device features a continuous entraining element, in particular a conveyor belt, which is moved along the multiple number of cross-winding devices.

In accordance with the invention, a multiple number of transport carriages are provided for receiving a respective sleeve, whereas the transport carriages are transported by means of the continuous entraining element, in order to bring the sleeves to the cross-winding devices. Various types of sleeves are stockpiled, and each cross-winding device is allocated with with a predetermined type of sleeve. The type of sleeve is detected and, together with the transport carriages, the sleeve is supplied to the cross-winding device allocated to it where required.

The different types of sleeves can be stored on an intermediate basis in the carriages and, where required, conveyed very rapidly to the corresponding cross-winding station. For this purpose, the loaded carriages may be distributed along the machine, in order to have a short path to the cross-winding station. It is also possible that only with a request of a specific sleeve type will it be placed on the carriages from the stack by means of a corresponding handling device, and transported to the cross-winding station by means of the continuous entraining element. In order to obtain an allocation of the carriages to the sleeve and to be able to deliver the correct sleeve, the type of sleeve is detected. This can take place through the detection of the color or shape of the sleeve or through a predetermined allocation of the sleeve type to a specific sleeve stack. After the sleeve has been delivered to the cross-winding station, the carriage is available for reloading with a sleeve. For this purpose, the carriage is transported back to a stack and once again loaded there.

In order to enable the tracking of the transport carriages or the specific sleeve, it is particularly advantageous if the type of sleeve and the individual transport carriages are linked together. This link can take place by means of control technology, by the carriage receiving a unique identifier. This identifier may be, for example, a bar code with a unique number. When a sleeve type is picked up, it is registered that the carriage with the specified identifier is loaded with a specific sleeve type. If such sleeve type is requested, the carriage is conveyed with the corresponding identifier to the requesting cross-winding station, and the correct sleeve can be picked up there.

Preferably, the location of the transport carriage on the sleeve transport device is detected by a corresponding control device. A rapid delivery of the carriage or the corresponding sleeve, as the case may be, to the requesting cross-winding station is possible. Thereby, the shortest delivery route can be determined, and the transport of the corresponding carriage can be effected.

It is advantageous if a control device manages the location and destination of the transport carriage and directs the transport carriage to the predetermined cross-winding device. Thus, a need-based feeding of the transport carriage or the right sleeve, as the case may be, to the cross-winding station, can take place. The cross-winding station or its machine control device, as the case may be, determines the need for a specific sleeve and issues a request to the control device of the sleeve transport device. Thus, the control device of the sleeve transport device determines where suitable transport carriages are located, and where the requesting cross-winding station is located. Then, a transport carriage is selected by the control device, which transport carriage is able to convey a sleeve as rapidly as possible to the cross-winding station.

Depending on the design of the present invention, the transport carriage is always led to a single machine side or, optionally, one of the two machine sides. If only one of the two machine sides is supplied, the system will have a higher capacity, which can provide sleeves more rapidly and be simple in structure. With a supply to both machine sides, the structure is somewhat more complex in terms of construction and control technology. However, different sleeves do not have to be stacked side by side, and a greater variety of sleeve types can be provided.

A spinning-mill machine in accordance with the invention features a multiple number of cross-winding devices arranged next to each other and on two machine sides located in the longitudinal direction of the spinning-mill machine, each of which is provided for winding yarn on sleeves. At least one sleeve stack for stockpiling empty sleeves and one sleeve transport device arranged along the cross-winding devices for supplying the cross-winding devices with empty sleeves from the sleeve stack are present. The sleeve transport device features a continuous entraining element, in particular a conveyor belt. Different types of sleeves can be stockpiled in the sleeve stack. Each cross-winding device is allocated with a predetermined type of sleeves.

In accordance with the invention, the sleeve transport device features a multiple number of transport carriages for receiving and transporting a respective sleeve.

A detection device, which detects the type of sleeve, is provided. This detection device may be a sensor, which examines the sleeve, for example, in terms of its color or shape. However, it can also be a complete sleeve stack, in which only one sleeve type is stored in a sorted manner. On the sleeve stack, a transfer station is provided for transferring a sleeve to the transport carriage. A writing device is provided for identifying the transport carriage with respect to the type of entrained sleeve. This writing device can be provided in a control device, in which a connection between a specified transport carriage and a specified sleeve type is created. The entraining element is guided around one or both machine sides, in order to supply the sleeve together with the transport carriages of the cross-winding device allocated to it. Thereby, the transport carriage is conveyed, together with the sleeve, with the continuous entraining element from the sleeve stack to the requesting cross-winding station or even initially to an intermediate storage device and then to a requesting cross-winding station. If the continuous entraining element is a transport belt, the carriage is connected to the belt in a frictional-locking manner, and conveyed through the movement of the belt to the predetermined destination. The carriage can be stopped there, for example with a holding device, with respect to the belt that continues to run, or the belt itself is stopped. The sleeve is removed from the carriage with a handling device at the destination of the cross-winding station, an intermediate storage device or a maintenance device, for example a bobbin changer, and handled further.

If, in an advantageous formation of the invention, multiple sleeve stacks are arranged on each machine side, in particular next to each other, the capacity of the sleeves provided is thereby markedly increased compared to a front-side arrangement of the sleeve stacks. Thus, significantly more sleeves can be stacked. Thus, the mostly manually performed equipping of the sleeve stacks with sleeves can be carried out with a high degree of efficiency, since, given the high capacity, a re-equipping process must take place only rarely.

Preferably, each sleeve stack is allocated exclusively to a predetermined machine side for stockpiling empty sleeves for such machine side. Thus, the design of the sleeve transport device is particularly simple, since the sleeve does not need to be taken to the other machine side. Since, in many cases, the different sleeve types will be subdivided according to the machine sides, the equipping of the sleeve stacks can often be carried out on a sorted basis in a simple manner. In addition, the sleeve stacks can also stockpile the sleeves in a chaotic manner, and transport the respective sleeve type to the work station with an appropriate selection system.

Advantageously, each separate machine side or both machine sides together are allocated with a stationary sleeve transport device. With the design with a stationary sleeve transport device on each separate machine side, a simple construction of the invention is possible. However, sleeves on one side cannot be used for cross-winding stations on the other machine side. If a stationary sleeve transport device is allocated to both machine sides, sleeves that are stockpiled in the stack on one machine side can be conveyed to a cross-winding station of the other machine side. The construction cost is greater; however, a higher degree of flexibility with respect to the supply of different sleeves to the cross-winding stations of the entire machine is achieved.

If, in an advantageous design of the invention, a common entraining element is arranged between the two machine sides, the structural outlay can be reduced. Thereby, the return transport of the transport carriage to the sleeve stack takes place by means of the common entraining element between the two machine sides.

If the transport carriage features an identification element, in particular a bar code or an RFID chip, in order to mark the type of the sleeve on the transport carriage, a connection is created between the carriage and the sleeve, which can easily be followed by the control device and can deliver a specific cross-winding station.

If the sleeve transport device is advantageously allocated with a detection device, in particular a scanner, the location of the transport carriage can be easily detected. Thus, a supply to the requesting cross-winding station can easily take place, even if the carriage is not in the starting position on the sleeve stack, but is already on the way in the sleeve transport device.

If the sleeve transport device is allocated with a control device in order to be able to manage the location and the destination of the transport carriage, and to be able to guide the transport carriage to the predetermined cross-winding device, the system is highly flexible and can be operated as required. In doing so, the control device can record and manage the need for sleeves, the location of the carriage, the location of the required sleeve and the destination of the transport order.

Preferably, multiple sleeve stacks are arranged in the area of supply units of the spinning-mill machine, in particular on the drive frame, the intermediate frame or the end frame of the respective machine side. Thus, the sleeve stacks can be distributed along the machine and, as a whole, bring about a shortening of the feeding length of the spinning-mill machine.

The device and the method in accordance with the invention are formed in accordance with the preceding description, whereas the specified characteristics can be present individually or in any combination.

Further advantages of the invention are described in the following embodiments. The following is shown:

FIG. 1 a spinning-mill machine with a multiple number of sleeve stacks at one machine end and one circumferential sleeve transport device per machine,

FIG. 2 a spinning-mill machine with a multiple number of sleeve stacks at both machine ends and one circumferential sleeve transport device per machine,

FIG. 3 a spinning-mill machine with a multiple number of sleeve stacks at one machine end and, in each case, one sleeve transport device per machine side,

FIG. 4 a spinning-mill machine with a multiple number of sleeve stacks at one machine end and, in each case, one sleeve transport device per machine side, with a centrally arranged common entraining element and

FIG. 5 a transport carriage with a sleeve.

With the following description of the illustrated alternative embodiments, the same reference signs are used for characteristics that are identical and/or at least comparable in their arrangement and/or mode of action compared to the other illustrated embodiments. To the extent that such are not described once again in detail, their designs and/or modes of action correspond to the designs and modes of action of the characteristics described above.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a spinning-mill machine 1 shown in outline, for example an open-end rotor spinning-mill machine or a winding machine. The spinning-mill machine 1 features a drive frame 2 and an end frame 3, which are respectively arranged at the end of the spinning-mill machine 1. The spinning-mill machine 1 features two machine sides in the longitudinal direction, on which a multiple number of cross-winding devices 4 are arranged between the drive frame 2 and the end frame 3. For reasons of clarity, only one of the cross-winding devices 4 is provided with a reference sign. The multiple number of cross-winding devices 4 is collected into sections 5.1 to 5.5. In each section 5.1 to 5.5, eight cross-winding devices 4 are arranged on each machine side. In each of the cross-winding devices 4, a holder (not shown here) for a sleeve 9 is provided, on which a yarn is wound cross-wise. Depending on the yarn type, a different sleeve type is required. This is necessary or at least helpful in order to, later on, be able to more easily identify the yarn type that is located on the sleeve 9, if the bobbin is no longer located on the cross-winding unit 4.

In the present embodiment, a sleeve transport device 6 is formed as a conveyor belt, on which transport carriages 8 are located, placed on the sleeves 9 and transported to a predetermined destination. The conveyor belt of the sleeve transport device 6 surrounds the machine 1, and thus can reach all of the cross-winding devices 4 and sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4. The sleeves 9 are initially located in a large number in a multiple number of sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, two sleeve stacks 7.1 and 7.2 or 7.3 and 7.4, as the case may be, are arranged in the end frame 3 on each machine side. The two sleeve stacks 7.1 and 7.2 or 7.3 and 7.4, as the case may be, are arranged one behind the other in the direction of the machine. As a result, they cling closely to the spinning-mill machine 1, and thus require little installation space. However, they can also be arranged elsewhere in the end frame 3, for example on the front side or on the front side and the longitudinal sides of the end frame 3. In the sleeve stacks 7.1 and 7.2 or 7.3 and 7.4, as the case may be, a sorted stacking of the sleeves 9 takes place, such that, by such four existing sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4 (for example), four different sleeve types can be stacked. In terms of control technology, the transmission of the sleeves 9 to the corresponding cross-winding devices 4 can take place very easily, since the sleeve type in which the sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4 is located is known.

To send the sleeves 9, a specified sleeve type from the sleeve stack 7.1 to 7.4, in which the corresponding sleeve 9 is stacked, is placed on a carriage 8. The conveyor belt of the sleeve transport device 6 begins to move, and thus conveys the carriage 8 to the desired cross-winding station 4. Alternatively, with a constantly moving conveyor belt, a stopping device can bring the carriage 8 to a halt at the corresponding sleeve stack 7.1 to 7.4 and the desired cross-winding station 4.

FIG. 2 shows a spinning-mill machine 1, which has a similar construction to the spinning-mill machine 1 of FIG. 1. With the design of FIG. 2, the arrangement of the sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4 varies. Two of the sleeve stacks 7.1, 7.3 are arranged on the end frame 3 of the spinning-mill machine 1, while the other two sleeve stacks 7.2, 7.4 are arranged on the drive frame 2. The sleeve transport device 6 in turn extends around the entire machine 1 and passes through a cross-winding station 4 and each of the sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4 and thus both machine sides. The distribution of the sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4 on the drive frame 2 and the end frame 3 can be advantageous in terms of space utilization on the machine 1. The carriages 8 (not shown), just like in FIG. 1, move to a conveyor belt of the sleeve transport device 6.

It can be provided that the sleeve transport device 6 can transport the sleeves 9 only in one direction. However, in another design, it can also be provided that the sleeve transport device 6, as indicated by the arrows in both directions, can transport sleeves 9 in both directions. In this case, the control device of the sleeve transport device 6 can determine how the supply of the required sleeve 9 can be done most rapidly, and accordingly determine the direction of transport. Thus, on the one hand, a sleeve 9 can be transported from the sleeve stack 7.1 in the direction of the sleeve stack 7.2 and, on the other hand, a sleeve 9 can be transported from the sleeve stack 7.2 in the direction of the sleeve stack 7.1. The same applies to the opposite machine side by analogy.

This arrangement can be more favorable in terms of space requirements and allows additional sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4, similar to those shown in FIG. 1, to be arranged on the spinning-mill machine 1 following the respective sleeve stack. Thus, the capacity of the stackable sleeves 9 was even more expandable.

In FIG. 3, a sleeve transport device 6.1 or 6.2, as the case may be, is arranged along the multiple number of cross-winding devices 4 on each side of the spinning-mill machine 1. In the present embodiment, each of the sleeve transport devices 6.1 and 6.2 is formed as a conveyor belt, on which transport carriages 8 are located, placed on the sleeves 9 and transported to a predetermined destination. The sleeves 9 are initially located in a large number in a multiple number of sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, two sleeve stacks 7.1 and 7.2 or 7.3 and 7.4, as the case may be, are arranged in the end frame 3 on each machine side. The two sleeve stacks 7.1 and 7.2 or 7.3 and 7.4, as the case may be, are arranged one behind the other in the direction of the machine. Due to the division on each machine side into two sleeve stacks 7.1 and 7.2 or 7.3 and 7.4, as the case may be, the system is even more flexible. A sorted stacking of the sleeves 9 is possible, such that, by such four existing sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4 (for example), four different sleeve types can be stacked.

In the present embodiment, the sleeve transport devices 6.1 and 6.2 have a single direction of transport in the direction of the arrow. This means that the sleeves 9 are removed from the sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4, transferred to the sleeve transport device 6 or the carriages 8 and moved in the direction of the arrow.

Each of the sleeve transport devices 6.1 and 6.2 extends along all of the cross-winding devices 4 or sections 5.1 to 5.5, as the case may be, of a machine side and returns, in the machine center, back to the sleeve stack 7.1 and 7.2 or 7.3 and 7.4, as the case may be. Thus, each sleeve 9, which is arranged in one of the sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4, can be supplied to any work station or cross-winding station 4, as the case may be, on its machine side.

FIG. 4 shows a spinning-mill machine 1 with a multiple number of sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4 at one machine end, in this case the end frame 3, and in each case a sleeve transport device 6.1, 6.2 per machine side, with a centrally arranged common entraining element. The entraining element is once again a conveyor belt, on which the carriages 8 are arranged. The centrally arranged common entraining element serves both sleeve transport devices 6.1 and 6.2 for the return transport of the empty carriages 8. However, carriages 8 loaded with sleeves 9 can also be conveyed in this middle track section. By means of a switch 12, the carriages 8 are guided by or on the sleeve transport device 6.1, 6.2. Thereby, the carriages 8 can be directed to the sleeve transport device 6.1 or 6.2 on which they are currently needed. This design has the advantage that sleeves 9 can be conveyed out of each of the sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4 to each machine side. Thus, each side can access each stored sleeve type.

Depending on the yarn type on the corresponding cross-winding device 4, a sleeve type is requested. The control of the sleeve transport devices 6.1 and 6.2 is designed in such a manner that the sleeve 9 is placed on the sleeve transport device 6 and the carriage 8 from the sleeve stack 7.1 to 7.4 in which the requested sleeve type is located.

FIG. 5 shows a transport carriage 8 in a perspective view. The carriage 8 has a flat bottom plate, with which it rests on the conveyor belt of the sleeve transport devices 6 or 6.1 and 6.2, as the case may be, and can be taken from the moving conveyor belt. On the bottom plate, the sleeve 9 is held in guides 10. The guides 10 ensure the secure reception of the sleeve 9, so that they cannot fall from the carriage 8 during transport. On the other hand, the guides 10 also enable the sleeve 9 to be easily place, for example with gripper, on the carriage 8, and once again removed. The bottom plate has tapered end pieces, so that the carriage 8 can be conveyed through the curves of the sleeve transport devices 6 and 6.1 and 6.2, easily and without entanglement. In addition, the carriage 8 features a bar code 11, with which it is uniquely identifiable. Thus, the carriage 8 can be linked with its data to a sleeve 9 via a control device. Thus, a clear allocation of a specific sleeve type to the carriage 8, and thus to the location of the sleeve 9 or the carriage 9, as the case may be, is also possible.

At each of the sleeve stacks 7.1 to 7.4, a detection device is provided; this detects the type of the sleeve 9. If the sleeve 9 is transferred from the sleeve stack 7.1 to 7.4 to a transfer station at the transport carriage 8, the sleeve type 9 is linked to the identifier of the transport carriage 8. In the control device, with a type of writing device (in a manner of speaking), the entrained sleeve 9 is described with the number of the transport carriage 8, and thus can be detected at any time, for example by scanners arranged on the sleeve transport devices 6 and 6.1 and 6.2.

This invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments. Variations within the scope of the claims, just as the combination of characteristics, are possible, even if they are illustrated and described in different embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 Spinning-mill machine -   2 Drive frame -   3 End frame -   4 Cross-winding devices -   5.1 to 5.5 Sections -   6, 6.1 to 6.4 Sleeve transport devices -   7.1 to 7.4 Sleeve stacks -   8 Transport carriage -   9 Sleeve 9 -   10 Guide -   11 Bar code -   12 Switch 

1. Method for supplying cross-winding devices (4) of a spinning-mill machine (1) with sleeves (9), whereas a multiple number of cross-winding devices (4) is arranged next to each other and on two machine sides located in the longitudinal direction of the spinning-mill machine (1), and yarn is wound on sleeves (9) at the cross-winding devices (4), whereas empty sleeves (9) are stockpiled in at least one sleeve stack (7.1 to 7.4), and with a sleeve transport device (6, 6.1 bis 6.4) arranged along the cross-winding devices (4), with which the cross-winding devices (4) are supplied with empty sleeves (9) from the sleeve stack (7.1 to 7.4), whereas the sleeve transport device (6, 6.1 to 6.4) features a continuous entraining element, in particular a conveyor belt, which is moved along the multiple number of cross-winding devices (4), characterized in that, a multiple number of transport carriages (8) are provided for receiving a respective sleeve (9), whereas the transport carriages (8) are transported by means of the continuous entraining element, in order to bring the sleeves (9) to the cross-winding devices (4), various types of sleeves (9) are stockpiled, each cross-winding device (4) is allocated with with a predetermined type of sleeve (9) and the type of sleeve (9) is detected and, together with the transport carriages (8), supplied to the cross-winding device allocated (4) to it. 2-14. (canceled) 